Drug Comparison
For educational purposes only — a decision-support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Side-by-side rubric across 96 psychiatric medications. Every rating traces to a verbatim primary-source quote — click any cell to see it.
How to read this tool ▾
Rating scale
– Favorable / lower than class baseline
± Minimal / equivocal
+ Low / uncommon
++ Moderate / common
+++ High / very common
++++ Very high / class-outlier
Frequency vs severity
F = frequency, S = severity. Each gets its own pill colored on the same traffic-light scale: green → blue → yellow → orange → red. Click any cell for incidence percentages and NNH.
Evidence tier
A Network meta-analysis / RCT / FDA label
B Cohort / registry / pooled label data
C Expert review / textbook / case series
Sourcing
Click any cell to see the verbatim source quote and citation. Missing data shows n/a.
Data depth
++ Graded — frequency + severity, primary-source traces
+ FDA label — §6 frequency only (dashed border). Click for sub-types.
Blank — not yet checked (not “absent”)
–±++++++++++ABCF = frequency · S = severity · Dashed border = FDA label only · Click cell for details
1 drug selected — Naltrexone(click to collapse)
1/4 selected
Naltrexone
ReVia
Opioid Antagonist
FDA-approved indications
- Alcohol dependence (adults)
- Opioid use disorder — opioid blockade after detoxification (adults)
Off-label uses
- Opioid use disorder
- Self-injurious behavior
- Impulse control disorders
Half-life4 hours (6-beta-naltrexol: 12 hours)
Decision GuideWhen to pick each / when to consider an alternative
Naltrexone
Consider when
- Alcohol use disorder — FDA-approved for AUD; reduces heavy drinking days and relapse; available as daily oral or monthly IM (Vivitrol)
- Opioid use disorder (after detox) — FDA-approved for OUD maintenance after complete opioid detoxification; blocks opioid effects
- Monthly IM injection for non-adherence — Vivitrol provides 30-day blockade; eliminates daily pill adherence barrier
- Patient preference for abstinence-based approach — opioid antagonist supports total abstinence vs partial agonist maintenance
- +1 more
Consider an alternative when
- Current opioid use or inadequate washout — precipitates severe withdrawal if opioids present; requires 7–10 day opioid-free period
- Chronic pain requiring opioid analgesia — blocks all opioid analgesics; alternative pain management required during treatment
- Hepatic impairment — boxed warning for hepatotoxicity; contraindicated in acute hepatitis or hepatic failure; monitor LFTs
- OUD retention is primary goal — buprenorphine and methadone show superior retention rates in meta-analyses
- +1 more
| Axis | Naltrexone opioid-antagonist |
|---|---|
| Boxed Warnings | |
Suicidality (boxed warning) | |
Abuse / addiction liability | |
| CNS | |
Activation / insomnia | |
Headache | |
| GI | |
Nausea / GI (general) | |
| Hepatic | |
Liver enzymes / hepatotoxicity | |
| Discontinuation | |
Withdrawal / discontinuation | |
| Safety | |
Overdose toxicity | |